In a week where Terrell Owens' whining is getting (too) much attention, I divert my attention to another part of the Dallas Cowboys. Mainly, what in the name of Mel Renfro is up with the Cowboys' defense.

In real-life football, the Cowboys haven't been horrible, with decent games against Cleveland and Green Bay.

In fantasy football however, the Cowboys have been horrible. I grabbed up the Dallas defense early in two drafts this year, thinking they could get me turnovers every week, or a touchdown every now and then.

Instead, the Boys have been a bust so far. They haven't intercepted a pass yet. Not one.

In one league, the Dallas defense is ranked 25th.

This should teach a lesson to fantasy football players. You think you can draft a good defense, but many times, you can't.

In future drafts instead, pick your defense next to last (before your kicker), and then monitor games closely. Was Tennessee supposed to have such a strong defense at the beginning of this year? We know the Titans do now, with eight interceptions, four fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.

If the Titans aren't available, go with a defense that's playing a weak offense. Right now, it's a good play if you play the defense going up against St. Louis, Cincinnati and Cleveland, especially if the weak offenses are on the road.

And wouldn't you know it, Cincinnati is visiting the Cowboys this week. I think I'll give the Boys one more chance.

But if they don't intercept Carson Palmer at least once this week, consider it a divorce.

WEEK 5 BYE BYES

Key players who are off this week because their teams have byes.

Running back: Stephen Jackson, St. Louis.

Quarterback: Brett Favre, J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.

Receivers: Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery, N.Y. Jets

Tight ends: Kellen Winslow Jr., Cleveland

Defenses: N.Y. Jets, Oakland.

START 'EMS AND SIT 'EMS

RUNNING BACK

Start 'em

Frank Gore, San Francisco vs. New England — The Patriots went from gold to old quickly.

Sit 'em

Kevin Smith, Detroit vs. Chicago — Detroit's rookie experiment is over ... for now.

QUARTERBACK

Start 'em

Chad Pennington, Miami vs. San Diego — Don't laugh! San Diego's pass defense is awful.

Sit 'em

Kerry Collins, Tennessee at Baltimore — Collins wins, but he doesn't put up big numbers.

RECEIVER

Start 'em

Lance Moore, New Orleans vs. Minnesota — Play Moore more. He is Drew Brees' top target right now.

Sit 'em

Reggie Williams, Jacksonville vs. Pittsburgh — Williams is an early candidate for biggest receiving bust of the year.

TIGHT END

Start 'em

L.J. Smith, Philadelphia vs. Washington — With a wounded running game, the Eagles will pass more.

Sit 'em

Ben Hartsock, Atlanta at Green Bay — Atlanta has practically given up throwing to tight ends.

DEFENSE

Start 'em

Dallas vs. Cincinnati — Just in case you skipped to the end of this column.

Sit 'em

Tampa Bay at Denver — Denver's dangerous in the mile-high air.

(Rick Kretzschmar covers sports for the Longview News-Journal. E-mail: rickk@longview-news.com).